More hospital consolidation is expected post-pandemic
Supporters and opponents of hospital mergers and acquisitions expect such deals to increase in the aftermath of COVID-19..
Fauci says additional lockdowns’ not needed in response to COVID-19
Anthony Fauci, MD, says states can control the spread of the virus without additional lockdowns, even as some move to reinstitute sharp restrictions on healthcare services.
OPPS proposed rule would eliminate ‘inpatient only’ list of procedures
The CY21 OPPS proposed rule would eliminate the inpatient-only list of services over three years while increasing the number of ASC-eligible procedures, and also would increase 340B payment cuts and overhaul the hospital star-rating system.
Trump orders new rural payment model, permanent expansion of telehealth
President Trump ordered HHS to develop a new payment model for rural healthcare providers and to use its regulatory authority to make telehealth expansion permanent.
A scarcity of rural ICU beds means little revenue amid the COVID-19 resurgence
Half of low-income rural areas lack ICU beds, which is depriving hospitals of revenue during ongoing COVID-19 surges.
Hospitals decry appeals court decision upholding 340B cuts
An appeals court upheld $1.6 billion in annual Medicare payment cuts to 340B hospitals.
GASB seeks volunteers to participate in ‘field test’ of proposed changes
GASB is seeking volunteer organizations to test new governmental accounting standard rules.
Elective surgery volume near normal in late July, analysis finds
Elective surgeries recovered in July following earlier state bans. However, a growing number of states are re-imposing bans amid a COVID-19 resurgence.
Senate’s COVID-19 bill disappoints hospitals
Hospitals were frustrated proposed hospital funding levels and tweaks to Medicare advance payments as proposed in Senate Republicans’ new COVID-19-relief bills.
Hospital groups urge court rejection of ‘unlawful’ charge transparency rule
Hospital advocates highlighted a range of statutory and cost concerns in amicus briefs to an appeals court considering a CMS price transparency requirement.